Epilogue

A/N: Kind of a random epilogue but it got stuck in my head and demanded to be written. I know a movie probably wouldn't be made that quickly, but I needed the timeline to work so, oh well. No beta so any errors are mine. Constructive criticism welcome!

Disclaimer: I don't own NCIS or its characters.

Mary Miller entered the empty theater and made her way to the far back corner. She knew she would probably be the only person in the theater for this particular viewing. Ten o'clock in the morning on a Tuesday to view a movie that had already been out for two months made for a pretty empty theater. Mary had her pick of seats but she knew she would feel uncomfortable and exposed sitting in the middle of a large empty room so she preferred the corner of the theater.

Today was Mary's 35th birthday and as a gift, her husband had taken a day off work and stayed home to watch the kids so Marry could have a "me" day. Mary was so happy her husband was the kind of man to do that for her. She knew not every husband would. Mary had decided she would finally get to see a movie in the theater that she wanted to see, one that wasn't animated with singing and dancing animals. Mary was so excited to finally be getting to see the movie rendition of her favorite book. The reviews had given nothing but praise, saying the story was well written and stayed true to the book. She loved the Thom E. Gemcity books and was so glad when she heard they were going to make the latest into a movie. She'd been sad to hear that before the books release, the author had been killed at his day job. The family was keeping the authors identity private (everyone knew Gemcity was a pen name), but it had gotten out that he was a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. It was so sad that such a talented young man had died so young.

Mary was slightly disappointed that she wouldn't be alone in the theater when she saw three young women enter and take seats in the middle of the theater. With nothing to do while she waited for the movie to start, Mary studied the three young women. People watching was a guilty pleasure. She liked to try and imagine what other people's lives might be like based on her observations of them. The women must not have realizes Mary was in the theater because they seemed to be talking louder then they probably would have if they knew they weren't alone.

"Where's Tony? I thought he was supposed to meet us here?" said the Goth looking girl with her hair in pigtails.

The striking woman sitting next to the Goth answered, "Abby, you know today is a hard day for Tony. I'm sure he'll be here. Give him time."

"The movie's about to start! He can't miss it. We all passed on the opportunity to go to the premier. In Hollywood! We have to see it in the theater before it's not available anymore. We owe it to him," the girl named Abby complained. Mary was shocked. These girls had turned down a chance to see the premier of the movie! Why on earth would they do that! Mary would give anything to go to a movie premier, especially one for her favorite book!

"You did not want to go to the premier either, Abby," The striking women said quietly. Mary almost hadn't heard the response.

"I know," the Goth girl responded just as quietly. "It'll be better this way. Less people." She waved her hand at the seemingly empty theater. After a minute she turned to the youngest woman, sitting on the other side of her. "How was the premier Sarah? Did you have fun?"

Mary's jaw almost dropped. That young woman had gone to the premier of the movie! She restrained herself from leaning forward to shamelessly eavesdrop on the conversation. Who was this young lady that got an invitation to the premier of a major motion picture?

"It was nice," the young woman, Sarah, answered quietly. "Everyone was so nice to me. I met the cast and the director, writers and a whole bunch of other people. They were all really nice."

"You did not go alone?" asked the striking woman. Mary wished someone would say her name.

"No, the publisher went with me. Ms. Crinshaw was great. She made all the arrangements for the travel, our hotel, meeting everyone, and keeping the press away from me. It was nice."

"You keep saying 'nice.' Did something go wrong?" Abby asked.

"No. I just…I felt guilty. Because I was kind of having fun. Is that wrong?" Sarah asked quietly. Mary had to strain to hear that last part. She didn't hear the response as the Goth girl put her arm around Sarah's shoulders and leaned in close to her.

After a while Sarah nodded. "You're right. Thanks."

The women lapsed into silence for a minute. Mary checked her watch. Five minutes until the movie started. She kind of wished she had more time, curious as to who the women in the theater were and what else they might say.

The Goth must have checked her watch as well. "Ziva where is he"?! I'm going to be so mad at him if he misses this!"

Ah, so the striking woman had an exotic name to go with her exotic looks. Mary wondered who the man the women were waiting for was. Her simple trip to the movies had turned into quite a little mystery.

Ziva sighed. "Tony went to visit Tim this morning. He will be here though. He texted me when he left to say he was on his way."

Abby looked at Ziva, shock written all over her face. "He went alone? We could have all gone. Why didn't he mention he was going to visit?"

"Tony wanted to go alone. Today is a hard day for him. Leave him alone when he arrives Abby," Ziva said sternly to the other woman.

Sarah spoke up, "I'm going this evening. You're more than welcome to join me Abby, Ziva. I don't mind the company."

"Oh, of course we'll go with you. We're your family. You know that right?" Abby hugged the younger woman again as she answered.

Another moment of silence was again broken by Abby. "This was a good idea, right? I mean, he would have liked it. All of us watching the movie. Today. You think it's a good idea right?"

"Yes, Abby, it is a good idea. I am glad you suggested it. I think Tim would like that we did this today." Ziva patted the young woman on her shoulder.

Just then two men entered the theater. One was an older man with steel grey hair. The second was younger, closer to Mary's age, with dark features.

"Tony! Gibbs! You came!" Abby shot out of her seat and ran to the end of the aisle. As she hugged the younger man he said, "Yeah, we kind of bumped into each other. I told him about this and he said he'd come."

Abby turned to the older man and hugged him next. "I'm so glad you came Gibbs."

"Hey Abby," he greeted her, then kissed her on the forehead.

The other two women had risen and waited for the men to join them. They traded hugs all around. Mary wondered yet again who these people were and what their relationship to each other was. Abby had called them family but they didn't look anything alike.

Just as the men were settling down, the lights dimmed and the previews started. Mary was slightly disappointed that she wouldn't find out any more about the mysterious group. Oh well. The movie was starting and she had been looking forward to seeing it for so long. It wasn't long before Mary was drawn into the suspense of the movie and the group of people in the theater was momentarily forgotten.

Mary sighed as the last scene went black on the screen. The reviews had been right. Though books were always better than movies, the movie was excellent and had remained true to the book. Mary was happy to finally have seen it in the theater.

Silence reigned in the theater as an "in memoriam" briefly appeared on the screen.

In Loving Memory: Thom E. Gemcity

September 13, 1978 - May 20, 2010.

As the credits began to roll, Mary was reminded of the group below her as a broken sob escaped from one of its members. She was surprised to see that the older man had an arm around the women on either side of him, their heads resting on his shoulders, while the younger man had turned and was hugging Sarah, his arms tight around her back. She thought she saw the man's shoulders shaking as if he was crying. In the brightening light, Mary could see that Sarah was stroking his back slowly, silent tears running down her face.

Mary suddenly felt like an intruder at a very private moment. She remained silent and frozen, not wanting to alert the group that they had a witness to their apparent grief. As Mary sat silently waiting for the group to leave she wondered what could have caused the emotional upheaval she was witnessing. Sure the movie had death in it, it was a crime drama. A serial killer had gone on quite the spree before he was caught by Tibbs. But nothing in the movie was meant to be that sad. Mary checked the time on her phone. She respected the privacy of the group below her and didn't want to leave before they did but she hoped she didn't have to wait too long before they left. Mary had a hair appointment at one and wanted to grab a quick lunch first.

Prominently displayed on her phone beneath the time was the date. May 20, 2011. Mary frowned. Why was the date familiar? Sure it was her birthday but something else – Mary's eyes went wide as she remembered the "in memoriam" and realized the significance of the date. Today was the one year anniversary of Thom E. Gemcity's death. Suddenly everything the women had been talking about before the movie started began to make sense. The premier, the publisher, Sarah feeling guilty, a hard day for Tony, the grief they were now displaying. Were these people friends or family of the author?

Wait, Tony? Tommy. Mary's eyes would have popped out of her head if it was physically possible to. Abby - Amy, Ziva - Lisa, Gibbs – Tibbs. Were these the people he had based the characters in his book on? Gemcity was a law enforcement officer. The characters in the book fought crime. Mary couldn't figure out what Sarah's relationship was or who the "Tim" Ziva had mentioned was, but – wait, Thom – Tim? Tony had "visited" Tim before coming to the theater. Sarah was going this evening. Was Tim the deceased author's real name?! And Sarah had been treated as a special guest at the premier of the movie. By the author's publisher. Was she his…sister? Wife? Kind of young for a wife. She must be some direct relative of the author though.

Mary sat in awe as she watched the people she believed to be the friends and family of her favorite author remember their lost friend. Silently she agreed with Abby. This had been a nice thing, to go see his last great success made into a movie. It probably beat sitting around and moping all day, though it appeared Tony was going to have a bad day regardless. She wondered what his relationship to Thom/Tim was that the anniversary of his death was affecting him so much. She tried to remember if she'd ever read anything about the author being gay but couldn't think of anything. While he was alive, the author had been very guarded about his private life.

After just a moment more, Tony was able to calm himself and the group made ready to leave. As they stood, Gibbs said, "Why don't you all meet at my house for lunch?" The group quickly agreed and departed the theater. Mary decided to wait a few more minutes to be sure they had left. She still felt awkward about being present during such an emotional moment and didn't want them to know she had witnessed it. After another five minutes, when the staff came in to clean the theater, Mary gathered her purse and left. She still had plenty of time to get lunch and make her hair appointment.

Mary had thoroughly enjoyed the movie, but was saddened by the grief displayed by the group of friends and family. Thankfully she didn't see them as she departed the theater. When she stepped outside, she paused in front of the movie poster and took a deep breath, trying to shake off the melancholy that had settled about her. Suddenly a man was standing next to her. Mary looked up in surprise to see the older gentleman, Gibbs. He didn't turn to look at her, but Mary could sense he was watching her. All of a sudden she just knew that he was aware of her presence in the theater the whole time.

Without really thinking about what she was doing, Mary spoke up. "I'm sorry for your loss," she said quietly. The man didn't acknowledge her immediately, but after a moment he nodded once, then moved away from her. Mary let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. He hadn't said a word but the man was intimidating. As she headed for her car, Mary smiled softly. She wasn't positive, but she thought the man had approved of her remaining silent and not disturbing the grieving group. It made her feel better that he didn't resent her witnessing their grief. Mary actually felt honored that she had been allowed to witness such obvious love for the author. He must have been a special man to be loved by all those people. With a sigh and a hope that she would be remembered and loved so deeply by her family and friends when she passed, Mary got in her car and drove away.